The
Emmaus Storyfrom Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called
Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all the things
that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near
and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to
them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk
along?"

They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name
was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not
know the things that have taken place in these days?"

He asked them, "What things?"

They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests
and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had
hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes and besides all this, it is now the
third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded
us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body
there, the came back and told us that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was
alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the
women had said; but they did not see him.

Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the
Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then
beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself
in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked
ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with
us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in
to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and
broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him,
and he vanished from their sight.

They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within
us, while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to
us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the
eleven and their companions gathered together.

They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has
appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he
had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.